Enliven Carbon Laser Facial...

So when my customer Sarah first contacted me about a new type of facial I was super excited, I love trying out new treatments, or any treatments actually and a treatment that can 'improve skin tone and texture, lift and hydrate skin and even out pigmentation. Making skin firmer and smoother' sounded worth trying! Although I must admit the word laser did make me slightly uneasy to start with, especially because it would be pointed at my face... I read the Enliven skin care website and checked out their Facebook page (here) and watching a video of the treatment nothing actually seemed scary so I went ahead and a week last Friday went off to have my first Carbon facial.

Within two minutes of meeting Sarah any doubts about the facial had been completely forgotten, she made me feel so at ease, just by being one of those kind of people, you know the kind I mean? where you instantly feel like you know them even if though you've never met before. After having the carbon applied to my face, which just felt the same as a mud pack we sat and chatted away the 10 minutes you wait for it to dry and start its magic. Between sips of tea Sarah happily told me all about the facial I'd be having, how she first discovered the treatment and answered all of my many, MANY random questions.

So I lay down for my facial, putting on those weird uncomfortable goggles I think people wear on the sunbeds and carried on chatting while Sarah started using the laser to shine a burst of light onto my carbon covered face. I'd read on the website that some people describe it as a similar feeling to pins and needles although I really don't know how I'd describe it? You can feel it coming off although it's not pain full at all! (And if it was, I'm a wimp so you'd know about it.) Its not uncomfortable either but there is a strong smell, other than that I really can't describe it, good job I'm not a writer. Anyway it took no time at all and once we were done I wiped off the remaining patches of carbon left behind and straight away I could see my face looked so much brighter. It's not what you'd call a 'relaxing' facial the way other ones are where they put warm towels on your face but your getting a treatment that you couldn't get a friend to do at home with toner and moisturiser like a lot of treatments.

I couldn't get a photo of myself having the facial done but here is Sarah hard at work, and you can find a very chatty, very close, very fast video of mine over on Enliven's instagram. 

I'm lucky and don't have particularly bad skin, although it's actually a really great treatment if you do, but what I really noticed was how it just took away any dead skin cells and took my skin back to how it should be. I'm a bit relaxed when it comes to skincare, make up wipes are about as far as it goes, (I know, I know its so bad isn't it) so this made me feel fresh and brighter and just more relaxed without make up, in fact other than mascara I left my skin to be free all weekend because it felt so much better. A week later it still feels lovely and soft to touch. Even my powder foundation has gone on smoother, especially on my forehead. Which is probably a bit gross considering that must be down to dead skin cells and the likes, whoops. If you want to read more and find out the few medical exemptions for the treatment etc you can find those by clicking here.

While I cleaned up my face and carried on stroking it (even tho I was told to try not to- It was really hard not to) Sarah and I got onto the topic of general skin products and how she's covering not just these treatments with her business but she is really interested in skin care, I always think when you use the word 'passionate' it sounds a bit cheesy but it just sums up Sarah telling you about her work, everything she does work wise has a background to it, her own experiences that shes happy to share and once we were talking about make up and lotions and potions I could have listened for hours. I won't get all scientific but for example I'd never heard of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and I won't pretend to know too much about it except that apart from being found in Shampoos and skin products it's also found (in a highier concentration) in floor cleaners and car wash soap. Which really got me thinking, lately it seems everyone is a lot more aware of what they put in our bodies and 'clean eating' but I know nothing about the products I'm putting on my skin, especially my face! And worryingly more expensive products don't actually mean 'better' in this case.

 After trying it on the back of my hand and noticing a huge difference in how it had evened out any redness or colour I left with one of Sarah's very own hand mixed Enliven Make Up Primer's, £14 (which contains no SLS) but is a lovely natural (totally vegan) mix of Avocado oil, witch hazel and Aloe Vera to name a few ingredients. The smell is delicious! and I love its mousse like texture so much that its replaced my usual mac primer. If anyone knows of anymore brands that have similar ethics with their products please let me know as I'm really interested in seeing how the ingredients compares with my usual make up bag goodies.

And a BIG Thank You to Sarah for my fabulous facial! 


Sarah has kindly offered £20 off to anyone who would like a Carbon facial with her when you quote 'PLP' while booking. For more information and to contact Sarah visit www.enlivenskincare.co.uk